Polar Front: What Is It & The Definition

February 7, 2022·6 minutes

Air masses can cause a massive difference in temperature around the world. Therefore, it is essential to learn about the polar front because it can help explain why some areas of the Earth are colder than others. When we know this information, scientists can predict the typical patterns of the air’s movement. Additionally, the polar front does affect the weather around the world itself.

If you have friends or family that also want to learn about the polar front, then make sure to share this post with them.

The polar front is the boundary between the Ferrell and the polar cells, located at 60 degrees latitude in each hemisphere. There is a sharp rise in temperature between the two air masses in this zone. This is because the Ferrell cell brings warm tropical air from near the equator, while the polar cell brings cold air from the poles.

History of Polar Front

Members of the Bergen school were the ones who proposed the concept of the polar front. The Bergen school was founded by Vilhelm Bjerknes, a Norwegian physicist, and meteorologist. They came up with a cyclone model that could form due to a zone of stable temperature. The temperature contrast was called a front, which means it’s a boundary between two different air masses.

When this model was completed, it was determined that the polar front separates the polar and mid-latitude air around the globe. 

How Are Polar Fronts Formed?

The polar fronts happen because of the cold polar air and the warm tropical air. When they meet, the two air masses do not move against one another. The polar front can keep the two air masses separate. That is why people see the temperature difference.

Characteristics of Polar Front

Typically, the polar front can keep the warm and cold air separate, so the air masses do not mix. An example would be off the coast of eastern North America; there is a sharp difference between the snow-covered land and the warm offshore currents during the winter.

Types of Polar Front

Polar Front

Warm Front

A warm-weather front happens when the cold air mass replaces the warm air mass. These fronts tend to move from the southwest to the northeast. The air behind the air mass tends to be moister and warmer than the air in front when it comes to the air itself. Additionally, when the warm air passes through, the air is then noticeably warmer and more humid.

Cold Front

This is when a warmer air mass replaces the cold air mass. The cold front typically moves from northwest to southeast. The air behind the air front is colder and drier than the air in front when it comes to the air itself. Additionally, temperatures typically drop more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit in an hour when a cold front passes through.

Occluded Front

An occluded front happens when the cold air overtakes a warm front. The warm air mass can push itself into a colder air mass, which causes an additional cold air mass to drive into another warm air mass. It ends up being a game of falling dominoes with air.

Since cold air can move faster than warm air, it overtakes the warm air itself. After the cold air pushes past the warm air, it meets the cool air in front. When they meet, the warm air ends up rising. This only happens in areas of low atmospheric pressure. The area that has low atmospheric pressure is the polar front.

Additionally, precipitation usually follows along an occluded front. After this clears, the sky tends to be clear, and the air is dry.

The Polar Front Theory of Cyclogenesis

The cyclogenesis theory came about in the early 1900s. It was a way to explain the formation of the cyclones found at mid-latitude. This is important because the cyclones found at the mid-latitude present the changes in weather around the world. They tend to bring storms and rain to most of the planet. The polar front is involved because of the cold winds from the poles.

These cold winds blow from the east between 60 to 90 degrees latitude. They can mix with the warm winds that are found closer to the equator. These winds blow west between 60- and 30-degrees latitude. Once these two winds mix, the mid-latitude cyclone is created.

Cyclogenesis is when the mid-latitude cyclone goes from the beginning to maturity to finally breaking down. This happens when the cold air from the poles meets the warm air in the mid-latitudes. Usually, these two air streams tend to go right past each other, but there are times when they end up meeting and mixing.

The reason for the mixing is that there is a sharp difference between the temperatures. Usually, this happens when the air passes through mountains or other rugged landscapes. This causes the wave to deepen, and a low-pressure area appears. The cold and warm air moves counterclockwise around the low pressure, forming a cyclone.

Impact of Polar Front on Weather

The polar front typically brings rain and storms on. It is essential in day-to-day weather because it can change globally. Also, it can stop the cold and warm air masses from mixing.

Facts About the Polar Front

  • The polar front can be found at 30 degrees latitude in the winter.
  • The polar front can be located at 60 degrees latitude in the summer.
  • The polar front can be seen continuously as a blue line extending for miles on weather maps in the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • Cyclones that develop outside of the tropics happen because of the polar front.

Conclusion

Polar Front

The polar front is essential to the everyday weather on the planet. It helps keep the cold and warm air separated, but when it does fail, cyclones can be made. Additionally, the polar front is one of the primary causes of rain and storms that can be found worldwide.

If you found this helpful post, make sure to share it with friends and family who may also want to learn more about the polar front.

FAQs About Polar Front

Where Is the Polar Front Located?

The polar front is located at 30 to 60 degrees latitude. Therefore, in the winter, it is at 30 degrees latitude and 60 degrees latitude in the summer.

How Does the Weather Get Affected by the Polar Front?

The polar front brings rains and storms on as it goes around the world. Also, it can stop the warm and cold air from mixing, but when this fails, cyclones do form.

What Does the Polar Front Predict?

The polar front helps meteorologists to determine weather patterns around the world. Additionally, scientists can determine the wind shear due to the polar front.

What Is the Nature of the Polar Front?

It is essential to remember that this is a low-pressure zone for the polar front. This is where warm air meets cold air. At the point of the two breaths of air meeting, there is a sharp change in temperature because one is warm and the other is cold. Many North American and European areas are a part of the polar front.

Casper Henson
Casper Henson

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